Two U.S. ports unveil emergency communications systems

The Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Houston Authority, two of the country's busiest seaports, have implemented new emergency communications systems.

"We knew that we wanted to streamline our communications and be able to effectively reach a variety of audiences at a moment's notice, whether facing an emergency or managing our daily project communications," said Ron Boyd, acting director of operations and emergency management at the Port of Los Angeles.

The two ports have implemented AudienceCentral’s Web-based PIER system for crisis communications, said Mike New, executive vice president of AudienceCentral.

The PIER system is a Web-based control center, which speeds internal and external communications by centralizing all functions, including drafting and distributing public information.

PIER is a crisis communications system that conforms to the Homeland Security Department’s National Incident Management System/Incident Command System standard established in March 2004.